GTA 5 Returns To Xbox Game Pass, Including Next-Gen Upgrade

Back and better than ever!

by Ben Kerry Wed 5th Jul 2023

Well, this is a big surprise! As part of the latest Xbox Game Pass roundup, Microsoft has revealed that GTA 5 is returning to the library today - and this time it includes the Grand Theft Auto V Next-Gen Update!

This is the first time that Rockstar's open world epic has returned to Xbox Game Pass since last year's native Xbox Series X|S port, so subscribers will now have the chance to test out new features like ray traced visuals, higher resolutions and of course, that sweet 60FPS gameplay.

If you are still using Xbox One then there's good news for those players too; the last-gen version is also included with today's return to the library, so everyone is invited for some GTA 5 Game Pass shenanigans on Xbox!

We'll drop the link to Xbox's latest Game Pass roundup down below, along with some of last year's looks at the native Xbox Series X|S versions of GTA 5.

Will you be diving back into GTA 5 this week? Let us know your plans in the comments section below.

Ben is a News Writer at Pure Xbox, and is a fan of action, racing and straight-up shootin' in any Xbox game he can get his hands on. When he's not clutching an Xbox controller like his life depends on it, Ben spends his time listening to music that's far too old for him, watching football on the telly and probably eating somewhere.

1
BBB
Wed 5th Jul 2023

Never got it on Xbox so I will at least take a look at the current gen version.

I don't imagine I will play through it all again though at least not right now.

2
Altaria_97
Wed 5th Jul 2023

Lol I just bought the enhanced physical copy for $10 a couple months ago. Guess I don’t need to throw the disc in to start it now.

3
Spaceman-Spiff
Wed 5th Jul 2023

Never played a 3D GTA game. Are they any good for someone who mostly dislikes open world games?

4
GamingFan4Lyf
Wed 5th Jul 2023

But, but, but…publishers hate Game Pass, right?!

5
Tonmoy
Wed 5th Jul 2023

I don't think there's a person that doesn't own a copy of GTA 5.

6
Cashews
Wed 5th Jul 2023

@Spaceman-Spiff No it isn't. GTA basically popularized open world games. If you don't like them - I wouldn't expect one to enjoy the game that defines the genre.

7
themightyant
Wed 5th Jul 2023

@Spaceman-Spiff Probably not. The mission design is antiquated and the open world is vast. So if you don't like open worlds you may not like this.

That said there is almost nothing else like Rockstar games in terms of production value. The detail that goes into the world, and I don't just mean graphically, is something to behold. How all the layered systems work with each other etc. It's bonkers and still looks great for a 10 year old game.

And it's on Game Pass so, assuming you have that, what have you got lose? You could even try it on the cloud if the large download is a turn off.

8
Nic-Noc20th-C
Wed 5th Jul 2023

I'll have a go to see why its such a popular title. I haven't played GTA since the PS1 days.
This is why I love Game Pass.

9
Nic-Noc20th-C
Wed 5th Jul 2023

@Tonmoy
I don't so you're wrong.
Hope I'll like it.

10
AlwaysPlaying
Wed 5th Jul 2023

Yes! I am the one person who doesn’t own it already - played Vice City for 5 minutes…

11
Feffster
Wed 5th Jul 2023

@Kezelpaso - looking forward to giving it a go. How does the install work (I’m on Series X)….it seems to be installing GTA online (101 GB) and the Xbox One version of GTA V (another 70+ GB)

….is that correct?

12
sonicbooming
Wed 5th Jul 2023

Just bought an Xbox and have game pass but unsure which version to download? Is the next gen update version the 85 GB one I can download? Or do I have to get the one that says Xbox One and Series X/S edition? Too many versions and confused. Please help LMAO

13
Kezelpaso
Wed 5th Jul 2023

@Feffster You don't need the Xbox One version! Our install is coming up at 115gb and the main Series X version is 'GTA Online' with story mode as a separate add-on. You should see story mode in your manage game area...

14
Tonmoy
Wed 5th Jul 2023

@Nic-Noc20th-C I hope you'll like it.

15
Feffster
Wed 5th Jul 2023

@Kezelpaso - thanks mate, I had a feeling it wasn’t downloading correctly. I’ll go into manage game once the online bit has finished installing. Thanks for the advice.

16
DTfearTheBEARD
Wed 5th Jul 2023

I upgraded to the digital version for $10 last year on PS5 and picked up a physical copy for $20. The ray-tracing, 60fps, adaptive triggers, and haptics alone make the upgrade worth it.
I'll download the Series X version when it's available on Game Pass and pick up a physical copy for the collection in the future.

17
devildragon2k23
Wed 5th Jul 2023

Rockstar puts a game on gamepass. Jim Ryan Hitler is not going to be pleased. I hope Jim is so angry he ban's GTA 6 on playstation, of course that would never happen but if it did Jim would be the only one stupid enough to do it out of spite that a company puts a game on game pass

18
Lostitall
Wed 5th Jul 2023

@Tonmoy I've never owned the game. Played Online like 10 times just messing around when it was first on game pass. I am mildly interested checking out the main game now that it's back but, my back log is way too long. I doubt I'll ever get to it.

19
BeerIsAwesome
Thu 6th Jul 2023

I've owned this game on three platforms and I still haven't beaten it. Not sure if that says something about me, given I prefer Sleeping Dogs and Saints Row to GTA. 🤔

@devildragon2k23 And we've just hit Godwin's Law.

20
Balta666
Thu 6th Jul 2023

@Spaceman-Spiff I would give it a go. I love GTA games (playing the series since the OG back in the 90's) and never cared much about the open world part of it and you can completly ignoring it apart from driving to each mission if you prefer and just do the story parts. While I much prefer GTA IV characters and story V is still very enjoyable.

21
Jaxx420
Thu 6th Jul 2023

@BeerIsAwesome if like me you like martial arts films the whole setting of Sleeping Dogs was just perfect. I think it was a little bit different to GTA with the combat focus, played much differently for me.

22
Zenszulu
Thu 6th Jul 2023

I have never been able to get to deep into a GTA game I have played many briefly when they first come out but can never find the motivation to ever keep going. I think the furthest I ever got was on GTA3 on the PS2. Saying that I already have GTA5 on two other systems at this point that I don't play so this can join them on my never going to play list.

23
BeerIsAwesome
Thu 6th Jul 2023

@Jaxx420 I think it's that feeling of something different that does it. I'd argue we may be sick of seeing stand-ins for New York and Los Angeles, so a Hong Kong in Sleeping Dogs, and the ever-so-subtly-different location (supposedly Pittsburgh) in Saints Row 3 and 4 just happen to interest me more.

24
Dan1283
Fri 7th Jul 2023

I wonder how long it's going be on gamepass for I don't imagine it will be long no rockstar games are

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